This course is for K-12 teachers & homeschoolers.
PD certificate may be requested after all modules are completed (up to 8 hours).
Are you looking for a way to take your teaching to a new level?
Are you desperately trying to engage students that seem bored or unmotivated in class?
Are you sick of teaching your students using disjointed activities that don't seem to "fit" together?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then project based learning is the teaching strategy for you!
Most teachers that hear about project based learning would love to start it in their classroom, but they have little knowledge of what it takes to plan and implement PBL. Many teachers that attend project based learning training through their school district leave without the information they need to properly plan and implement it in their classrooms.
This course is the solution. As you watch the video lessons in each module, you will get specific information on everything from planning and pacing your PBL to how to grade it. You will also get printable materials that can be used during the implementation of PBL in your classroom.
This course is closed for enrollment.
"My experience with the course was great. PBL was something I was interested in in terms of trying to incorporate differentiated learning in the classroom in a more successful manner. April was especially helpful for me when she video chatted with me concerning how to fill out my planning pages for an ELA PBL. She is very approachable and I like the fact that she wants to keep in touch with her students. Her course was quite comprehensive and gave good examples of how to plan and implement a PBL."
- Lori L., Teacher
In Module 1, we'll review the basic elements of project based learning. I'll explain what each element means, and what it really looks like in the classroom. After this module, you'll understand each piece that needs to be a part of your PBL planning.
Module 2 is where the bulk of your lesson planning will take place. I'll teach you exactly how to brainstorm an engaging topic and work in all of the elements of PBL. You'll get a planning template, and examples of how to customize the template when creating your own lesson plan. You'll also learn everything you need to know about writing a quality driving question. At the end of the module, you will turn in a lesson plan to me for feedback. I want to help you make everything work before you move on to pacing your lesson!
Additional Resources: Planning outline pages, student critique forms, editable driving question slips
Once you have a clearly defined driving question and an outline of your project, I'll teach you how to sketch out a flexible pacing calendar. Module 3 focuses on the importance of "Need to Know" lists in planning a flexible pace for your PBL. Check out the awesome examples included in this module!
Additional Resources: Editable pacing calendar
"April's PBL Course is well organized and broken into modules that make sense! It is filled with examples and resources that can be used in any classroom, grade level and subject. April is quick to answer questions and give feedback!"
- Jamie S., Teacher
In this module, we get into the nitty gritty of implementing your planned project based learning activity. I teach you all of the procedures you need to teach your students in order to successfully work together in this type of classroom structure. I use all of my experience to give you recommendations on how to setup these procedures - and how to keep the chaos level at zero.
Additional Resources: Student procedure pages
Module 5 discusses how to easily differentiate instruction during project based learning. Hint: You don't need completely different lesson plans for each kid! The simple strategies I give you will help ensure that all of the different needs in your classroom (or homeschool) are met.
Additional Resources: Differentiation planning pages
One of the biggest fears you may have is that some of your students might not be manageable in this kind of learning environment. In Module 6, I explain how to manage behavior during project based learning. I give specific examples of common issues, and how I personally addressed them in my classroom.
As your PBL progresses, you're going to start wondering about grading student work. In this module, I talk about how to give smaller grades throughout the project (for teachers required to input grades daily or weekly), and how I use rubrics to fairly grade individual student output. I even share a sample rubric.
Additional Resources: Sample rubric
"I would recommend this course to anyone! It validated things that I already knew, but gave me some new tools to make my projects better. I love how accessible April is and how willing (and patient!) she is to assist in any way that she can. I feel ready to take PBL to the next level!"
- Shannon R., Teacher
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Instructor
Author of Project Based Learning Made Simple
I believe that students learn best when working on real world projects & problems. I've made it my mission to get the word out on project based learning and this course is an important part of that mission.
As a classroom teacher and trainer, I've seen students and teachers struggle with the state standards. It's my goal to provide professional development that will change the way teachers teach - and work with current and future standards.